Snow shoeing is a great time to practice those skills you need in cross country skiing, which will aid you greatly in cross country snow shoe treks as well.

One technique that works well for both is the herringbone technique. Just point your toes, and hence the front of your snowshoe outward when you are climbing up a hill. If the hill has the added bonus of being just a moderate type of slope, then you will make things easier on yourself if you lean into the hill, so that the tops or front of your snowshoe lets your boot stil through the shoe to help you get a better bite on the snow.

If the hill is more steep, you’re likely going to be better off traversing, that is to say, moving up the hill diagonally, which does increase the distance you need to travel, but also cuts down on the steep slope that you have to climb.

If at any point you end up falling and begin a slide, lay on your back and lift your feet up so that your snowshoe can’t catch on something and possibly wrench or break an ankle or knee.